How do you define a disability?

The U.S. News & World Report states that one out of four individuals will sustain a severe injury that will leave them disabled. And that can keep many people out of work, leaving their family without a source of income they depended on.

Social Security Disability (SSDI) can provide families with the benefits they need. It covers the wages someone loses because of the disability. However, there are a few requirements that individuals must meet to recover those benefits. And one of those conditions is meeting the definition of “disabled.”

What is the definition of a disability?

Many people across the nation and Pennsylvania would likely object to a specific definition for a disability. After all, a disability can manifest differently for each person.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) actually established a broad definition of a disability that individuals must meet to recover benefits. This definition consists of several factors, including whether the impairment:

• Prevents someone from working, either at their previous job or a new job
• Limits someone’s capabilities, such as walking
• Appears on the SSA’s list of covered impairments

There are two parts to the SSA’s list, and they both cover a wide range of potential impairments. They include anything from cancer to mental disorders, or autoimmune disorders.

How to prove you meet the definition

It is absolutely essential for individuals seeking SSDI benefits to prove they meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. Otherwise, they face an even greater risk of the SSA denying their claim. While the SSA denies many claims at first, individuals can take action to prove they meet the definition. It is helpful if they:

• Explain their work responsibilities: It is critical for individuals to outline the duties their job involves. And then they must explain precisely how the disability restricts their ability to complete those duties.
• Collect medical records: Official medical history is an essential piece of evidence to prove a disability. Individuals can even enlist help from their physicians or doctors to write a statement about their condition.
• Describe the effects of the impairment: In addition to medical evidence, it is also crucial for individuals to describe how the disability impacts their daily life. This can include explaining their medical treatment and medications, as well as the symptoms they experience.

It may sound tedious for people to prove they meet this definition to obtain the benefits they deserve. However, this is one of the most important aspects of any SSDI case.